Screen Tourism Product Development

Knebworth House Film Tours and Exhibition 

Knebworth is an iconic film location with a rich filming history, having featured in The Kings Speech,  Batman The Movie, The Crown and Paddington 2. Through the Screen Tourism Development Programme, Knebworth House has launched a new filming exhibition and tour.

With original film posters, set photography, props and costumes, the exhibition showcases a collection that dates back over fifty years, providing a fascinating journey through Knebworth as a film location and Hollywood connection over the years. The exhibition allows visitors to gen up on their film facts, and then step onto the sets themselves! With a tour around the stunning grounds, visitors will explore the rich history of Knebworth House, spot backdrops featured in a range of films and TV programmes, and hear the exclusive behind the scenes filming stories. 

Treasure Map Trails Movie Makers Guide 

Treasure Map Trails has developed and launched a brand new Hertfordshire On Screen Movie Makers Guide for families with children aged 7 - 16 who want to get out and about in the county and explore brilliant local attractions in a totally new way.

The map features an incredible array of historic, colourful, and inspiring Hertfordshire attractions and locations that have each appeared on the big screen. Families can use the map to inspire and inform not only their Hertfordshire adventures but also their on-camera creations too.

The map shows the filming locations of blockbusters from Batman to Bond, Harry Potter to Paddington, and Spiderman to Wonder Woman, with links to movie making tips from the filmmakers of the future, and a storyboard so you can start planning your first production.

There are also links to a series of short videos from film experts to show little ones how to shoot their own mini movies on a mobile phone, making the process simple and fun.

Etiquette Dining at Pendley Manor 

Providing both accommodation and location services to the film industry, Pendley Manor is a key location in Hertfordshire, featuring in Johnny Vegas, as well as Amazon Primes feature films. As a quintessentially British hotel, Pendley Manor has got all of the answers when it comes to the Do's and Don'ts of a regal High Tea with their brand new 'Etiquette Dining' experience developed through the Screen Tourism Development Programme. 

Guests can enjoy a delicious traditional afternoon tea with all the tasty trimmings, alongside an etiquette lesson on how to behave at a quintessential afternoon tea. Replicating all those incredible high tea scenes seen on the big screen in period dramas spanning the decades such as Bridgerton or The Crown, in one of Hertfordshire's premiere filming locations, guests will be dining in classic period character style.

Mosquito Flight Simulator Experience at De Havilland Aircraft Museum

Featuring in the classic war films 633 Squadron, Mosquito Squadron, and the upcoming blockbuster The Shepherd, De Havilland Aircraft Museum has developed an immersive flight simulator experience where visitors can experience the exhilarating thrill of flying the legendary DH98 Mosquito, without leaving the ground.

For visitors who prefer to experience the real thing, they can also book a cockpit experience in one of the historic Mosquitos, learning about the history of the aircraft, gaining a commemorative certificate and the all-important photo opportunity in the pilot's seat. 

Tiny T's Theatre Tremendous Tails 

Local immersive theatre company Tiny T's theatre has developed a mythical beast experience located in a magical forest setting. The Tremendous Tails immersive theatre provides a sensory storytelling show, telling tales, sharing secrets and inviting children into their wondrous mythical world.

Little ones can help to train the cheeky dragons, find the hidden magical White Stag, pet the Unicorns and hear the dragons roar. Learning about the origins of some of our much loved magical creatures, with the re-telling of the fairy tales and fables that have captured the hearts of millions of the years, visitors will also design their own mythical beasts.

King Bee Animation Workshop

Located at Elstree Studios, King Bee Animation has developed a brand new animation workshop, providing children and teens the incredible opportunity to learn the ropes of an animation company. 

Starting with a mini tour of the world-renowned Elstree Studios, visitors learn all about the unique history of the studios. Then, upon entering the studio gates, they step behind the scenes of the incredible facility that brought Star Wars, The Voice, The Crown and so many more epic productions to life! The 3-hour workshop is taught by industry professionals and delivers a truly inspiring filmmaking experience. Visitors can create their own animation to take home and share on socials and with family and friends. 

The Crown Film Locations Tour 

Twice named Tour Operator of the Year by the UKInbound Awards for Excellence, AC Tours has been organising tours, planning itineraries and arranging bespoke travel for groups and individuals across England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland since 1999.

Through the Screen Tourism Development programme, AC Tours has developed a tour which visits some of the key film locations across Hertfordshire that are featured in The Crown.

From St Alban’s Cathedral, which appeared in season 2 of the series, to Knebworth House, where scenes of Balmoral were filmed. Followed by a visit to St Paul's Walden Bury, a private house occupied by the Bowes-Lyon family, relatives of the late Queen Mother, who spent a large portion of her childhood in the residence. To close the trip, visitors will dine in the beautiful Grade II-listed manor, dating back over 1000 years, rising from a peaceful forest glade in 35 acres of rural Hertfordshire with a quintessentially British afternoon tea. 

TewinBury Cake Off 

Nestled in the idyllic Hertfordshire countryside, on a stunning 700-acre working farm, sits the Cookery School at Tewinbury, run by star baker (and baker to the stars!) Lee Maycock. The estate is famous for its incredible farm-to-plate foodie experiences. Developed through the Screen Tourism Development Programme the Tewinbury Cookery School is now offering a brand new farm-to-BAKE experience for participants to immerse themselves into the world of baking, GBBO-style.

Cake-Off guests will begin their day sourcing fresh ingredients from the farm, collecting honey from the onsite Bee Hive, fresh hens eggs from the farm, and veggies and herbs from the kitchen gardens before whisking, decorating and drizzling their way to a winning bake after a classic signature challenge. Star Chef Lee Maycock brings his breadth of experience to guide visitors through the day alongside providing a few on-set stories from his time cooking on location for movies such as Batman, Star Wars and Indiana Jones!). At the end of the challenge, judging commences over a cuppa and a well-deserved tasting session before the winner is announced!

Film to Foundling Tour at Ashlyns School

Ashlyns School is not only rich in history, being a foundlings school, but it is also a popular film location featuring in several films and award-winning television productions including The Crown and Call The Midwife. Through the Screen Tourism Development programme, they have developed a Virtual Reality Tour where visitors can walk in the footsteps of the on-screen stars and see how the school, dating all the way back to the 1700s, have been transformed by movie magic over the years. 

Covering the wealth of stunning architectural features around the school during the tour, including the spectacular stained glass windows in the Chapel, the beautiful staircase in the entrance hall and the carved fireplace in the old Board Room, visitors will learn all about the figures and details of the school's historic journey from a Foundling Hospital to a modern comprehensive secondary school.

Tigz Rice Creative Shoot Days 

A key supplier to the filming industry, Hertfordshire's local photographer Tigz Rice has developed a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes at some of Hertfordshire's premiere locations for an extra special photoshoot session that will truly add a touch of glamour for photographers' portfolios.

With the opportunity to step behind the lens and capture some film inspired content, Tigz Rice is now offering two creative shoot days. The first is the 1940s-inspired 'Pinups With Planes' photoshoot day at De Havilland Aircraft Museum, with the opportunity to direct your own shoot with stunning models dressed in period costumes and an original WWII Mosquito in the background. The second is a day of corsets and classics, with a regency-inspired ballroom fashion editorial photoshoot at Pendley Manor. 

With location, models and styling organised, the only things photographers need to bring are their camera and creativity. From beginners to pros, everyone is welcome on this fun, friendly and themed course.